Movies That Made It OK For Us To Cry

Great movies evoke a lot of necessary emotions: joy, terror, happiness, anger. But the most important of all? Sadness? Well, maybe not the most important, but it’s the kind of emotion we typically try to avoid on our own. Movies, on the other hand, often prove to us that sadness is not just vital — it’s often perfectly OK to experience. Here are ten films that usually invoke a tear (or several), and are the go-to titles for when we need to have a good cry.

'Life Is Beautiful'

Photo: Miramax

Yes, Holocaust-themed movies are generally pretty bleak! But this Oscar-winning Italian film, which introduced the world to Roberto Benigni, brings an extra dose of heart to the genre, with Benigni starring as a gentle man who attempts to shield the horrors of the world from his young son. [Where to stream Life Is Beautiful]

'Field of Dreams'

Photo: Universal Pictures; Courtesy Everett Collection

Sure, it’s a baseball movie, but that’s just a red herring for a sadistic film that’s sole purpose is to force men to squeeze tears out of their eyeballs. I can’t think of another film that a man’s steely reserve is no match for. Baseball, redemption, and father-son relationships? Grab the Kleenex, boys. [Where to stream Field of Dreams]

'A League of Their Own'

Photo: Columbia Pictures; Courtesy Everett Collection

Here’s another baseball movie that might be a more on the feminine side, but it’s got more toughness to go with its gorgeous cast. On-screen baseball has never been more exciting or dramatic! And I dare you to keep your eyes dry when Betty Spaghetti gets that tragic news. [Where to stream A League of Their Own]

'Steel Magnolias'

Photo: TriStar Pictures; Courtesy Everett Collection

Is laughter-through-tears your favorite emotion? How about sobs set in a Southern accent? Either way, this classic film that displays the feminine strength of mothers and daughters will have you hooting and weeping with equal measure. [Where to stream Steel Magnolias]

'Fly Away Home'

Photo: Columbia Pictures; Courtesy Everett Collection

Did you ever think you could possibly feel so deeply about a gaggle of geese? This film, based on a true story, follows a father-daughter duo who train a family of pet geese to migrate south for the winter. Not only will the feel-good film make you experience all kinds of feelings for fowl, it’ll also win you over with as a heartwarming family drama.[Where to stream Fly Away Home]

'The Shawshank Redemption'

Photo: Columbia Pictures

One would think that the human spirit would break clean apart while in the confines of a prison — especially for a man who was locked away despite his innocence. But Frank Darabont’s modern classic, based on a Stephen King novella, proves that man is stronger than his captors (but also that man is no match for an emotionally gripping drama). [Where to stream The Shawshank Redemption]

'E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial'

Photo: Universal; Courtesy Everett Collection

Plenty of movies on this list feature a bond between a human and an animal (or animals), but Steven Spielberg’s classic follows the friendship between a boy and an alien, the former stopping at nothing to save his extra-terrestrial pal from capture and imprisonment lightyears away from his home. [Where to stream E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial]

'Rudy'

Photo: TriStar Pictures; Courtesy Everett Collection

A true underdog story, this film can make any non-football fan suddenly care about pigskin, especially as the short-statured titular hero fights so hard to be a member of Notre Dame’s football team. It’s impossible not to cheer for Rudy — and you’re likely to tear up, as well. [Where to stream Rudy]

'Old Yeller'

Photo courtesy Everett Collection

Dead animals nearly always incite some tears, and this classic Disney tale about the bond between a boy and his canine best friend has a similarly classic Disney unhappy ending. [Where to stream Old Yeller]

'Bambi'

Photo: Disney; Courtesy Everett Collection

No one — man or woman, adult or child — can possibly watch the darkest of Disney movies without shedding a mass of tears. If you can’t, then I can’t trust you — you’re otherwise inhuman. [Where to stream Bambi]